Mental health is more than just a label. It refers to your total psychological well-being, which includes how you feel about yourself and others, as well as your ability to control your emotions and deal with daily challenges. Taking care of your mental health can entail seeking professional help or therapy, but it can also entail taking efforts to improve your emotional well-being on your own. Making these changes will benefit you in every area of your life. It has the potential to improve your mood, strengthen your resilience, and increase your general enjoyment of life:
1. Adopt a long-term perspective -
Consider your long-term strategy. Instead of being strangled by the too-tight grip of continual hurry and frenzied energy, set a pace that allows you to achieve your goals while still breathing. Don't try to finish the marathon in a hurry.
2. Safeguard yourself from the effects of technology-
Constant usage of a screen is linked to poor mental health consequences. Set limits with technology and invest your time in activities that will improve your well-being.
3. Take it to the next notch -
Walking is in our DNA. The bilateral movement improves our ability to understand and solve problems while also increasing our mood. Consider investing in a step-tracking device to motivate you. Choose steps over elevators and walking meetings over sit-down meetings whenever possible. If you are unable to move, make use of the sorts of movement and exercise that are accessible to you.
4. Pause for a moment -
When it all seems too much, take a break and do something other than what's bothering you out until you feel a bit better. Simple breathing practice is sometimes the greatest thing to do: Take ten deep breaths while closing your eyes. Count to four as you inhale, hold for a count of four, and then exhale for another count of four for each one. This is virtually instantaneously effective.
5. Allow yourself to be vulnerable with someone -
It is critical to know that you are valued by others in order to think more optimistically. Furthermore, being more trustworthy can improve your emotional well-being because as you improve at identifying other people's great qualities, you improve at recognising your own.
6. Allow them to see you perspire -
Hide in the shadows aggravates mental health problems. Finding trustworthy people to whom you can open up about your problems can be a catalyst for healing and growth.
7. It's not a good idea to go alone -
In a community, healing, growth, resilience, and well-being take place. When we have caring people cheering us on and holding us accountable, our efforts are amplified. Relationships are mental health protectors, buffers, and enhancers.
8. Begin right now -
You have the ability to increase your resilience and mental health right now by taking good steps. Don't put off taking care of your mental health until you're in a crisis. Furthermore, it is easier to adopt new behaviours when you are in good health. You may then put those habits into action when you need them the most. Choose something from this post that speaks to you and give it a try. Then try something different. Through gradual adjustment, slowly establishing routines, habits, and regular patterns will help you feel better.
References:
1. Lee, K. (2017). Mentalligence: A New Psychology of Thinking-Learn What it Takes to be More Agile, Mindful and Connected in Today's World. Deerfield Beach, FL: HCI Books.
2. Sacks, O. (2008). Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain. New York, New York: Vintage Books.